She's all played out

Nancy Faust, beloved fixture as the White Sox organist for 40 years, says she will be playing her swan song at the end of the 2010 season.

"It won't be easy, but the timing is just right to move on," Faust said. "Next year will be my 41st season. Never did I imagine that I would be saying that.

"The truth is, as soon as they won the World Series and I started to negotiate for the next year, one of the suggestions I threw out was: 'Well, perhaps one of the things you want me to do is only play during day games.' They heartily agreed that was a great idea. That sent a message to me. That would be an easy way to make a transition for them. The fact that they agreed to it made me feel like I was doing the right thing.

"I don't want to overstay myself. I have known for five years that that was the most that I could possibly do."

Faust grew up in Chicago, learning how to play the organ at 4. She earned a degree from North Park College with plans to become a teacher. But after playing at sporting events for a year, she was hired by Sox general manager Stu Holcomb, who had seen her perform at a banquet.

"I grew up in a family that really wasn't involved in sports. We were just a hard-working Chicago family," Faust said. "I was fortunate to have a mother (Jacquin, also a professional musician, who died on Sept. 4, 2007) who was very musical and nurtured my talent. I had parents who encouraged me."

Combining pop and rock music, as well as catchy commercial tunes, Faust pioneered the concept of playing a song that related to the name or personality of a player when he came to bat.

In 1977, she revived the tune "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" and has played it when the opposing pitcher is yanked, a Sox player hits a home run or after a Sox victory.

"The atmosphere has changed," she said. "It is very high-tech now, and the entertainment is certainly a lot more than my (simply) playing. It is very informative, and there is such a variety of things that can appeal to all ages. ... I feel fortunate that I have been able to be part of that whole theme. I have been able to update my music so younger people can identify with what I am doing.

"I was in the doldrums about 10 years ago when I had to start wearing a headset and taking directions from our scoreboard director (Jeff Szynal). But I have come to appreciate how he manages the whole operation. If anything now, I admire him and I rely on him. He has a wonderful way of dealing with people and getting the most out of his whole crew. I am aware of that because I listen to him the whole game."

Faust tries to imagine how emotional her last season will be.

"I am sure there will be times when it will be hard for me to keep my composure because I am greeted by such great people who come by," she said. "Just knowing that I will no longer have that feedback will be a sad thing."

"Nancy Faust has helped bring baseball to life at the ballpark for generations of fans," White Sox executive Brooks Boyer said. "She is a White Sox fan favorite, as well as an icon of the organization. ... The White Sox look forward to one final, memorable season with Nancy at the organ."

Asked her favorite Sox moment over the last 40 years, Faust quickly replied:

"It had to be the 2005 (World Series championship) season. That was bigger than I ever imagined. What drove it home was that (victory) parade. I never imagined that a turnout could ever be that tremendous for anything."

Faust confesses she has little insight into the sport.

"The fans are much more knowledgeable than I will ever be," she said. "I don't have a statistical mind, I guess. Just a musical one."

But she offered a familiar refrain that applies to both her and to the White Sox in 2010.